Ash-sifter.



G. G. BURROWES.

ASH SIFTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 1912.

1 1 23,091, Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

GILBERT CHARLES BURROWES, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

ASH-SIF'I'ER.

. clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in an ash-sifter or separator for unburned coal, cinders, etc., in which is overcome many of the difficulties that are encountered in the use of previous devices ofthis class and its usefulness extended, particularly when adapted for domestic purposes; and the object of my invention is to provide a self-contained and highly efficient sifter for treating coal ashes for the separation of cinders, etc., extremely simple in manipulation and readily operated with a minimum expenditure of energy.

Characteristic of the present invention is the formation of the larger receptacle or compartment for holding the ashes. In this instance, the bottom is made to conform to the curved supports forming the rockers, whereby its capacity is increased and the center of gravitymaintained as low as pos sible during the filling thereof with ashes in the process of sifting, which is advantageous when operated by a rocking or oscillating motion.

The invention consists in part of the incorporation of a third compartment, constructed in such a manner as to receive and hold the products of separation after the sifting of each consecutive charge, a receptacle for unburned coal and cinders, readily removable and conveniently suitable for serving as a scuttle, and certain details of construction, as hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar figures of reference refer to like parts throughout.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ashsifter constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view with a portion thereof in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a perspective view in detail of the third compartment or scuttle, and Fig. 4 is a detail View in vertical cross- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914:.

Application filed March 2, 1912. Serial No. 681,238.

section showing a modification of the adolning edges of the receptacles where the one rests upon the other and is supported thereby.

The sifter when assembled, as shown in Fig. 1, consists primarily of three separable parts, an upper and two lower sections, each adapted to fit closely together at the edges of their adjoining openings. The upper section 1, within which separation takes place, is removably mounted and rests upon the receptacle for ashes and engages in like manner the receptacle for unburned coal and cinders, the lower sections 2 and 3, respectively. The section 1 is preferably rectangular in form and having at its lower side an inverted U shaped flanged edge 4:, which together with the cross-brace 5 forms the engaging edges for the lower receptacles. The upper side is inclosed by a. cover comprising fixed and hinged sections 6 and 7, respectively; the latter provided with double flanges and an extended tail-piece 8, to insure the same being dust proofwhen closed.

Arranged within the section 1 and slightly above the lower side and with an intervening space at one end thereof are a series of horizontally placed screens 9. In this instance, two screens are shown, being preferably of different meshes,the one of coarser mesh being uppermost. The screens 9 are supported in pockets formed in flange 10, which is inclined upward and outward at a slight angle and adapted to support the ends of the screens approximately in alinement with the cross-brace 5.

In juxtaposition with the free ends of the screens 9, and with the upper end in contact with the adjacent interior end wall of the section 1 is a vertically operated and pivotally supported gate or obstructing valve 11. The gate or valve is operated by the vertically reciprocating rod 12, which protrudes through the cover 6 and terminates in a knob, as shown.

The receptacle for ashes or the lower section 2 is also rectangular in form, but slightly shorter in length than the upper section 1, and provided at its upper edge with a stilfening band or wire edging 4:, which is adapted to fit within the inverted U shaped flanged edge 4: and the cross brace 5, the latter being somewhat enlarged to receive jointly the upper edge of the receptacle 3. The lower side is curved for the purpose set forth in the preamble of this specification, and provided with rockers 13, which extend beyond one end and form supporting pieces for carrying the lower section 3 the receptacle for unburned coal and cinders.

When the mixed unburned coal, cinders and ashes are placed within the upper section 1 and the cover 7 closed and the sifter rocked by means of the handle 14:, the ashes will sift through the screens 9 into the receptacle 2 While the unburned coal and cinders will be retained upon the screens. After separation has been completed, the contents upon the screens may be readily and quickly dumped into the receptacle 3 by raising the gate or valve 11 and rocking that end of the sifter downward, and so on with each consecutive charge until the lower receptacles are full.

The gate or valve 11 is brought into a closed position by a slightly upward movement followed by a downward thrust. To facilitate the operation of the gate or valve when closing and to support the same when open, there is an inwardly-projecting mainly horizontal flange 15, curved and inclined downwardly near its inner end in the man ner shown. When the gate or valve is brought into contact with the cover 6 the lower end is thrown forward, and when followed by a downward thrust is forced into contact with the edges of the screens by means of the inclined faces of the flanges 15. The inner downwarly inclined part of flange 15 and the lower part of flange 10 cocperate in guiding said gate.

hen the ashes are to be removed, the upper section 1 is lifted off, the raising of one end of which will release the receptacle 3 when it is desirable to make use of the cinders, etc.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an ash-Sifter, a receptacle having the greater part of its bottom screened and the remainder open, in combination with a pivotally movable gate,cutting off the material above the screened bottom from said open part when closed, means for raising and tilting the said gate, a relatively fixed and mainly horizontal flange adapted to support the gate when the latter is open, but inclined downward at its inner end to guide said gate in the act of closing and a rocking support for said receptacle for the purpose set forth.

2. In an ash sifter, a rocking bottom-and two lower receptacles'mounted directly on the same, in combination with an upper receptacle mounted on these two lower receptacles, screening means covering that part of the bottom of said upper receptacle which is over one of said lower receptacles, the remainder of said bottom being open and communicating with the other lower receptacle, and a movable gate arranged to prevent at will the escape of material from above screening through said part of the bottom.

A rocking screening receptacle in combination with two screens of different degrees of fineness covering at different heights a part of its bottom the remainder of which is open, a movable gate which in its closed position cuts off communication of the space above the upper screen and also of the space between the screens and a pair of flanges for guiding said gate, one of said flanges serving also as a support for said screens.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiiXed my signature-in the presence of two witnesses. V V

I GILBERT CHARLES BURROWES. Witnesses:

H. DIXON, STANLEY J. PALMER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

